Black Varanus salvator

[Gx3]

Man these are sooooo awesome!! If I had the money and a huge amount of space I would definitely buy this guy. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://market.kingsnake.com/detail.php?cat=53&de=613047">http://market.kingsnake.com/detail.php?cat=53&de=613047</a><!-- m --> Has anyone here had any experience with water monitors? A buddy of mine had a huge 9 footer before I met him and he said it had a great disposition and was totally calm and cool with people. He said if you work with them every day they can tame down very nicely (given the individual has a decent temperment). What are your thoughts about these huge monitors?

 

[Beazer]

I was once reading an article that made a lot of sense and I cant remember where. The article discussed monitors and "tame" monitors. It was said that a monitor that is "tame" by most people's standards is really just a submissed incredibly stressed out animal. I believe it was mentioned that the heart rate of monitors in their "tame" submissive mode had heart rates 3 times faster than their normal rate. Though, I have seen videos of monitors comfortable walking around up to humans and laying on them.
I think the key is to handle them but not restrict/restrain their movements or them. Let them do their own thing on you. Water monitors seem to be the ones you see the most that when they are use to humans will just walk around and chill. Though, i have seen water monitors that people carry around on their shoulders or head (as babies of course) and seemed rather docile, then at a certain age going ape sheisse, lol, and the once docile animal would bite anything that touches it.
I had a sumatran water monitor from a baby. He/She never liked handling but was decent tempered when youd let it walk around and could pet it. Just one day (was about 5ft?) I went to pick it up and place it in its new cage and didnt like it and now I have a few scars on my right arm near my elbow. I later on ended up rehoming it to a good guy because I had to realize the monitor at the time was way too much for me to handle (I was 14). So, I guess as with any animal, be ready to be bit by an adult and all the unpleasent stuff that goes along with that lol. Though, I would have to say being bit by an ornate monitor was muuuuch worse.
As fare as care goes. They are pretty simple except for the poop factor. They crap in the dish, you change it out and scrub it and make it nice and purdy. Two seconds later....... Whats that smell? Ah :cen it just dumped again in its clean bowl . Or if you are gone for a while and they take a dump, gotta love that smell too. Regurges smell like roses compared to big monitor crap.
I love the black dragons too though. I would own a pair now if it werent for how much they would cost on top of the enclosure I would build for them. Any monitor really is a joy to work with. Big or small. But waters are really neat. Especially the black dragons and cummings water monitors.


-Jon DeLong

 

[Gx3]

Thanks for all the info Beazer. Yea the only experience I have with monitors has been caring for savanahs when I worked at pet stores.

 

[argus333]

looks like just a black tree monitor to me. i would have to see these guys in person before i dropped that much cash. but as far as water monitors go as a whole they are one of the tamest lizards u can own and i mean tame like a dog.. with no rapped heart beat or anything.a 6ft 100lb water monitor has little to fear. mine has never tried to bite it entire life even after and during feeding. they can also be trained to poop in water bowls also wich is much eaiser clean then a whole cage.

 

[shabazz]

do u think for some one who wants a big monitor a water would be better then a BT